Job Interview Question - How to dress up for an Interview ?

This is one of the question I get quite often from the readers about How to Dress up for an Interview.

During a job interview, it is always best to show up in a suit, no matter what the position being applied for, since it conveys the sense of professionalism.

Many people will stress more over what to wear to an interview than the actual interview itself. Well the stress can be eliminated because when you wear a suit you automatically portray a sense of professionalism.

• Suits are common workplace attire for many companies and especially for anyone undergoing a job interview. Even if you already know the work atmosphere is casual you want to avoid dressing casually.
• Casual attire only applies for the current employees and you won’t make the best impression with khakis and a polo shirt. However, you should also avoid dressing up formally as this is not a social event.
• A two-piece matched suit is always the best, not to mention safest, choice for an interview, no matter what the industry or position is. Work environments differ to interview environments. Men and women should choose darker suit colors such as black or navy. Other colors will work too as long as they are not extreme and colorful. You might begin to question cost when you imagine wearing a suit to an interview, but suits have become very affordable. You don’t need to dress like a CEO, just a professional.

Proper Attire for Women

Wear a two-piece matching suit, either a skirt or pants, choosing a darker color. If you choose a skirt suit, choose a length that reaches your knees when standing. This prevents exposing too much thigh when seated or giving off an unprofessional vibe. Keep the blouse under the jacket simple and chic, with a completely covered chest.

Women should wear limited accessories during an interview. Opt for studded earrings over dangling. A simple necklace is better than a long or gaudy chain, pendant, etc. Choose 1 or 2 rings to adorn our fingers. Women should carry a small purse, if at all, or a small briefcase in place of the purse. Keep makeup to a minimum, aiming for a conservative look.

If you require hosiery, keep it sheer to compliment any suit. A safe choice for women in terms of shoes would be closed-toe pumps. These stay in style and are easy to match with any suit. Just make sure you can wear and walk in them comfortably. When selecting a perfume, choose a subtle fragrance and only apply a small dab. You want to be respectful of others who may have sensitive allergies.

Proper Attire for Men

Men should also wear a two piece dark suit to interviews. Suits have become very affordable over the years so you can find a reasonably priced high quality suit within any budget. Men should wear a silk or cotton tie that compliments the suit. Avoid extreme or character portraying ties. Most professional men wear long sleeve shirts under their suit jacket, even during the summer. This is because it is more professional. Opt for lighter colors or conservative stripes.

Your socks are just as important as the rest of your attire. Socks should be dark, like the suit, and should reach your calf to prevent showing skin when sitting. Dark leather shoes are often recommended for job interviews. Make sure they’re nicely polished and scruff-free before wearing. If a belt is worn it should also be dark in color and should match the shoes.

Grooming is a very important factor of proper interview etiquette. Facial hair should be shaven or neatly trimmed. Conservative watches are acceptable but avoid earrings or other facial piercings. If you want to wear cologne, apply a small dab to avoid activating someone’s possible sensitive allergies. Both men and women should have neatly trimmed and clean fingernails. Hair should be neatly fixed and clean.

While fashion trends and the latest styles are ever-changing, you cannot go wrong with a dark two piece suit. This will always be in style and suitable for professional job interviews. One’s appearance says a lot about them so keep this in mind when dressing for your interview.